Saturday

Jun 25, 2011 at 12:01 AM

Councilman Nicholas Narducci Jr., from left, and Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 3 President Taft Manzotti, listen to Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare talk about a new police pact. Mayor Angel Taveras is at right.

Councilman Nicholas Narducci Jr., from left, and Fraternal Orderof Police, Lodge 3 President Taft Manzotti, listen to Public SafetyCommissioner Steven Pare talk about a new police pact. Mayor AngelTaveras is at right.

The Providence Journal / Steve Szydlowski

PROVIDENCE - Less than a week before 75 police officers wouldhave lost their jobs, Mayor Angel Taveras announced a tentativeagreement Friday that if ratified by the police union next weekwill avert their departures and achieve the $6 million in savingsthe mayor asked for.

It is the second pact reached this week - fire union leadersconsented to a tentative deal Monday - and the third ofProvidence's four major unions to end negotiations with the newadministration with potential contracts. The deal was announcedless than two days after Police Chief Dean Esserman unexpectedlysaid he would resign, but the mayor and union leaders say hisdeparture didn't influence the last-minute breakthrough.

Calling the talks challenging, Taveras said he was "relieved" atstriking a deal with the executive board of the Fraternal Order ofPolice, Lodge 3, which represents the 468 officers. The union andcity have not had an agreement since 2007. The new arrangementwould be effective through June 2014.

"At the same time," he said, "the Providence FOP had to save 78jobs [75 of which the city planned to eliminate July 1] and affordthe remaining 390 officers an opportunity to receive additionalmonies, provided we can demonstrate the savings."

Although details are still being completed, the officers wouldnot receive raises for six years, starting in 2007. A 4-percentsalary increase is planned for the year that begins July 1,2013.

The officers may also receive one-time stipends that year, andthe year immediately before it, if the savings is more than $6million. The amount that could be divided among the officers iscapped at $1.5 million each of the two years, a news releasesaid.

A major component is an early-retirement incentive pitched bythe union, said Clarence W. Gough, union vice president. It wouldlet officers with at least 18 years on the job retire two yearsearlier than an officer can currently. Manzotti said 132 officerswould be eligible, and if 40 signed up, $4 million could besaved.

Gough said he believes at least 35 officers will take theincentive, and Taveras said the city's additional pension costshave already been factored into the savings.

"This is a significant and very real sacrifice, and I commendthe union leadership under Taft A. Manzotti for their willingnessto make this difficult decision," Taveras said.

Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare said, "This is acompromise and agreement that I believe we can all live with, so Iask you [the officers] to give consideration and understand thereare compromises and givebacks, but we'll be able to continue toservice the community seamlessly without anyone losing theirjobs."

Union leaders will present the proposal to the officers in twomeetings Wednesday. Manzotti said a vote will be takenThursday.

Only one police officer interviewed Friday was willing tocomment with his name attached. In Kennedy Plaza, Patrolman KenMatsumuo said he still needs to see the details but "on the surfaceI think it's a fair contract." He said he isn't concerned about notgetting any retroactive raises, but believed some officers nearingretirement could be upset.

All of the other 15 officers approached expressed theiropposition, but refused to give their names. They said they wereupset their leaders failed to consult with them before announcing adeal that in their view was inferior to the pact offered to thecity's firefighters.

Gough said a small group of officers are "only thinking aboutthe money," but he said the 78 officers saved by the deal willlikely "sleep a little easier today."

In addition to approval by the union membership, the CityCouncil must also approve the pact. Many council members stood withthe mayor Friday and told the media afterward that they are pleasedwith the deals with its civilian employees, firefighters andofficers.

The Providence Teachers Union is still negotiating, but unionpresident Steve Smith recently said the city rejected a union offerwith $16 million in concessions. Taveras has $18 million of savingsbuilt into his proposed budget for the year that begins July 1.

About 100 educators received pink slips by e-mail Thursdaymorning, many from the five schools Taveras closed Friday.

"I look forward to turning all of my attention to the teachers,"Taveras said in Friday's news conference about the police deal.

"Everyone is sacrificing, and the teacher issue is a little morecomplicated by some of the issues that come along with education.We're going to do all that we can to resolve that. We need it forour city, and we need it for our kids and all of our schools, and Iam committed to trying to make that happen."

With staff reports by Richard Dujardin.

KEY POINTSThe tentative agreement

No layoffs; 75 of 78 were due to lose their jobs on July 1.

No raises for six years, starting with fiscal 2007.

4-percent raise in fiscal 2014.

Retirement incentives meant to get 35 to 40 officers to leaveearly.

Potential extra pay in fiscal 2013 and 2014 if savings

exceed $6 million.

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